A KNEE reconstruction in December last year ruled Jake Lever out offootball in 2014, making him one of the most interesting prospects inthe draft mix.
Fortunately for the keydefender, he had at least already achieved plenty as a bottom-agedplayer in 2013, when he played four games for Vic Metro (one as captain)and had a strong season with the Calder Cannons.
Thisseason has been a different experience for him. Steadily he has gotback to fitness, following his program tightly and recovering ahead ofschedule.
He took up coaching roles with VicMetro and the Cannons, and was there at every game and training sessioncompleting his rehabilitation on the side.
The18-year-old is back at full fitness, and earlier this month tested atthe NAB AFL Draft Combine, running 3.19 in the 20-metre sprint and 10:32for the three-kilometre time trial.
He will start pre-season at an AFL club fit and hungry to get going.
Thefact clubs have viewed Lever as one of the most impressive players thisseason – without suiting up for a game – says much about hischaracter.
Lever is a strong, commandingleader who most likely would have captained the AIS-AFL Academy, Cannonsand Vic Metro if not for the knee injury. He interviews well,understands his unique position, and clubs like him.
Hisfooty matches up, too. At 193cm, some see him as the best tall defenderavailable and he's a mobile, tough, courageous and strong option.
Heenjoys the physical side of the game, and is combative in the air andon the ground. That might be his biggest strength: Lever is competitiveand absolutely hates being beaten.
Thefact he hasn't played since 2013 means clubs have to back what they sawthat season. They would obviously have liked to have seen Leverprogress this year, with the likelihood he would have had been given ashot in the midfield.
He's not super quick,but it would simply be his injury and absence that will have clubswondering if there's some inherent risk in reading out Lever's name onthe Gold Coast.
Lever is a bit taller than Hawk Ben Stratton, and likes to run the ball out of his defensive 50 in a similar manner.
Whenhe's up and going, it's not unusual to see Lever run full pelt at acontest, take the spilled ball and then run off with it and kick long.
Itcertainly wouldn't surprise if he's a top-five selection. If he doesn'tget taken then, there are a number of other clubs in the next 10 pickswho really like him.
Therearen't many clubs who wouldn't want to bring in someone like Lever.Despite his injury layoff, he will be raring to go by the start ofpre-season and will step into a club comfortably. He's the type ofperson and player who shapes those around him.
